Prefabricated drawer construction

ABSTRACT

One or two types of channel form clamps are adapted to slip into grooves in each of five panels that are thereby interconnected to form a cabinet drawer. The invention provides for such an interchangeability of parts that an entire drawer may be constructed from as few as six different types of piece parts. According to the invention, a pair of the channel form clamps provides the dual functions of interconnecting panels and providing glide strips for supporting the drawer. Bearing inserts in the cabinet cooperate with the glide strips to provide a smooth sliding drawer.

United States Patent White Apr. 8, 1975 [54] PREFABRICATED DRAWER 1754.806 8/1973 Nakagawa 312/111 CONSTRUCTION 3.836.217 9/1974 Shiina 312/11 1 [76] Inventor: Kenneth N. White, 12650 90th FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Ave., Palos Park, 111. 60464 1311988 11/1962 France 312/108 [22] Filed: June 18, 1974 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam PP N05 480,588 Assistant ExaminerVictor N. Sakran Relaed Appncafion Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmAlter and Weiss [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser, No. 260919 June 8,

1972, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT One or two types of channel form clamps are adapted [52] 312/257 R; 312/341 NR; 312/350 to slip into grooves in each of five panels that are [51] Int. Cl A471) 88/00 thereby interconnected to f a cabinet drawer The [58] held of Search 2/111, 257 invention provides for such an interchangeability of 312/330 350 parts that an entire drawer may be constructed from as few as six different types of piece parts. According [56] References C'ted to the invention, a pair of the channel form clamps UNITED STATES PATENTS provides the dual functions of interconnecting panels 2323.957 7/1943 Zalkind 312/350 n pro iding glide Strips for supporting the drawer. 2.857.233 10/1958 Reiss et a1. 312/341 NR Bearing inserts in the cabinet cooperate with the glide 3.211 510 10/1965 Reiss, Sr. et a1. 312/346 strips to provide a smooth sliding drawer. 3,379 483 4/1968 Oldford 312/25'/ R o 3.525 560 8/1970 Gasner a a1 312/257 R 6 Claims 10 Drawmg Flgures l l a P/"JENTEDAPR 81975 SHEET 1 8f 2 FIG! SEN 2 BF 2 \INI 21 PREFABRICATED DRAWER CONSTRUCTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my previously filed application Ser. No. 260,919 abandoned, filed June 8, 1972, for Prefabricated Drawer Construction.

This invention relates to knockdown drawer construction and, more particularly, to smoothly gliding drawers fitted into cabinets which may withstand the vibrations of mobile home travel.

The traditional methods of constructing furniture use labor intensive crafts, almost as practiced hundreds of years ago. While machine tools may reduce the labor content of furniture manufacture, the problem of excessive labor costs remains as an ultimately limiting factor. Mobile and prefabricated homes often use manufacturing techniques which are appropriate for the manufacture of automobiles and trucks. Still, people like home-like atmosphere, and do not want stamped metal drawers.

In the more recent forms of mobile homes, conventional furniture fabrication methods introduce further problems. For example, these homes sometimes travel over rough terrain which shakes all structure therein. As a result, joints loosen and furniture tends to lose its shape. Moreover, during accidents every screw, nail, and splinter in the home becomes a potentially lethal weapon.

Once the drawer is made, it should slide smoothly into the cabinet, and should not shake or lose shape due to the mobile home vibrations. Besides being a noise nuisance, the shaking can also weaken the drawer construction. Thus, a sudden violent vibration or accident can misalign or destroy the drawer, while within the cabinet. This shaking is especially troublesome when it causes the drawer to lose its shape, bind and tend to jam in the cabinet.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved knockdown drawer construction. Here an object of the invention is to provide a method of drawer construction which makes it quick and easy to assemble a drawer that holds together and retains its shape despite the shaking and jostling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide modern production methods for enabling knockdown drawer construction by those who have no special skill in cabinet making. Here an object is to provide structures which are small and compact, easy to ship and store in knockdown kit form.

Yet another object is to provide a smoothly gliding drawer which retains shape despite vibrations. Here an object of the invention is to provide a method whereby the amount of shaking of the drawer within the cabinet is minimized.

In keeping with an aspect of this invention, these and other objects are accomplished by providing one or two different types of channel form clamps, which slip into mating grooves in each of the five panels that form the bottom, sides and back of a cabinet drawer. The invention provides bearing inserts which are placed in the cabinet drawer opening and channel clamp forms which perform the dual functions of clamping together the drawer panels and provides smooth glide strips. This reduces the amount of drawer vibrations and allows the drawer to retain shape in most situations.

A preferred embodiment of the invention may be understood best from a study of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly exploded, perspective view of a cabinet drawer having a bearing insert and a combined clamp form with a glide strip contour.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred channel clamp form used to hold the drawer panels together;

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the glide strip and the bearing insert portions of FIG. 1 that are identified therein by a dot-dash line circle 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the channel clamp form;

7 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1) of an additional channel clamp form which may be used to enable an attachment of virtually any kind of drawer front;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a completely assembled drawer;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a cabinet with a drawer shown in phantom within the cabinet and the bearing inserts with the glide strips schematically shown by heavily inked lines;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a drawer slide which may be used to mount the inventive drawer;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (taken along line 88 of FIG. 7) of a slide bearing mounted on a front of a drawer and;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative and preferred embodiment of the slide bearing of FIG. 8.

The drawer 20 (FIG. 1) is made from a series of panels 21-24, channel clamp forms 25-29, and front panel mounting brackets 30, 31. Since the two sides 21, 22 have the same dimensions and two ends 24 (and the front panel, not shown) have the same dimensions, two piece parts may be used as these four panels. A third and bottom panel piece part 23 completes the drawer. Likewise, the channel clamp forms 25, 26 may be the same piece parts, and the corner channel clamp form 28-29 may also be the same piece-parts. Clamp 27 forms a third piece part. Therefore, the entire drawer may be made from as few as six piece parts.

The nature of each channel clamp form will become more apparant from a study of its cross-section (FIG. 2). In greater detail, the form is preferably extruded from aluminum, plastic, or the like, depending upon the decorative effect desired. The cross-section may be described as somewhat square, having two sides 35, 36 which may be in the order of two-thirds to threequarters of an inch wide. The other two sides are extruded or formed a shape retaining clamp having a generally C-shaped channel cavities 37, 38 set perpendicularly to each other. A rounded contour corner 40, shown by heavily inked lines, provides a smooth gliding strip which rests on bearing inserts l5. Separating the C-shaped channel cavities 37, 38 is a strut 39. The strut 39 extends from within the outer rounded contour of corner 40, to the inner surface of the cove 42. Each of the inwardly facing ears or tips of the C-shape may project (as at 41) into the cavity for a distance of approximately three or four tenths of an inch. A cove 42 may be formed between the two C-shaped shaped channels in order to improve the interior appearance and to save material.

The rounded contour of corner 40 of the channel clamps, slide on the bearing inserts l5 placed on the inner surface of the cabinet drawer opening seen in FIG. 7. The bearing inserts 15 are L-shaped and have two sides, a vertical side 16 and a horizontal side 17. On its inner surface the bearing inserts have steps 18 and 19. At least two of the channel clamps 25, 26 when gliding into the cabinet, glide on the bearing inserts 15.

The rounded contour of corner 40 further provides a means for equally distributing the drawer weight throughout the channel clamp, and not only on the outer corner. This is achieved by the slides 35 and 36 gliding on the bearing inserts 15, and the rounded contour of corner 40 not making contact with the complete bearing insert 15.

The strut 39 within the channel clamp prevents the weight of the panels from shifting the shape of the channel clamp. Thereby the channel clamp maintains its shape and glides easily on the bearing inserts.

An alternative embodiment ofa channel clamp form is seen in FIG. 4. Here, there is a generally rectangular form 45 having two generally C-shaped channels 46, 47 positioned in side-by-side relationship. This particular channel is attractive when made from spun aluminum and the more narrow side 48 is exposed to view.

The foregoing dimensions are here given, by way of example, to illustrate how different panels may be interconnected, and the drawer retains shape while gliding smoothly. Any suitable material may be used to make these panels, preferably hardboard since it does not have splinters and will not split if a mobile home is involved in an accident.

Each of the panels 21-24 has grooves rabbited on pposite sides, as at 50, 51 (FIG. 4). The distance 52 between an edge of a panel and a groove is approximately equal to the depth 34 (FIG. 4) of a C-shaped channel. The width 53 of the panel is about the same as the width 33 of the C-shaped channel. The depth and width of the grooves 50, 51 is approximately equal to the thickness and the projection 41 of the ears or tips on the channel clamp form.

Thus, it should now be apparent how the channel form clamp may capture, interconnect, and hold the various panels in a final assembly and glide smoothly while retaining its shape. For example, FIG. 3 shows how the ears 55, 56 of the clamp 25 may slide into and capture grooves in the side panel 21. Likewise, the ears 57, 58 may slide into, capture, and hold grooves 59 (FIG. 1) on the bottom panel 23. Accordingly, the channel clamp form 25 securely locks and holds together the two panels 21, 23. A moments reflection clearly indicates how all of the other panels may also be held together in a similar manner. The contour of corner 40 on the channel clamp forms 25, 26 also act to glide smoothly over bearing inserts 15.

A special channel clamp form or drawer bracket (FIG. is used on the front two corners of the panel. This bracket comprises a single C-shaped channel 60, with ears 61, 62 which are captured when slipped into the rabbited grooves 63, 63 on the front edge of the panel 21. The bracket 31 is used to make a similar attachment to panel 22. On each of the brackets 30, 31, a plate 64 projects outwardly at right angles from the axis of the channel clamp 60. Two or more screw holes 65 are formed on each bracket plate 64 whereby virtually any drawer front 66 (FIG. 6) may be attached by screws or other fasteners.

It should now be apparent that the channel clamp forms -31 lock every panel to every other panel to make a rigid structure, as seen in FIG. 6, which survives severe vibration. The interpanel connections are made at an infinite number of points uniformly distributed along the edges, and they are recessed about a quarter inch from the edge. It should be clear that the drawer will retain its shape due to the channel form clasp structure, and will glide smoothly even when weighed down with heavy material. Thus, the final drawer is a very strong structure, able to withstand the severe jolts and vibrations occurring as a mobile home is driven over even the roughest terrain.

Operationally, the drawer slides on two different glide means; the bearing inserts 15 attached on the inner surface of the cabinet in FIGS. 1, 3, and 7 and an elongated track or runner 70 seen in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8. The near end of the track or runner 70 slips into a form-fitting socket 71 which may be a molded plastic part. The back of the socket is formed into a plate-like member 72 having a number of screw holds therein (as at 74), and the socket 71 may be attached to the inside track of the cabinet. A bearing member 75 is attached to the bottom of the drawer panel 23 via screw holes 56, 77. As best seen in FIG. 8, the bearing member 75 embraces the runner 70 to position, guide and direct the drawer as it glides over the runner. The bearing inserts 15 in the cabinet cooperate with the long glide strips or the contour of corner 40 (as seen in cross section) to provide a smooth sliding drawer.

A perferred embodiment of the front drawer slide bearing is seen in FIGS. 1 and 9. Here the bearing comprises an integral molded plastic piece part which may be made from nylon, for example.

The bearing may be described as a table 81 having a recessed pedestal 82 resting upon a platform 83 with bearing arms 84, 85. The arms 84, 85 partially encircle the runner 70 to assist the bearing inserts in supporting, guiding, and directing the drawer as it slides back and forth.

The bottom 23 of the drawer has a notch 86 with a width 87 corresponding to the Width of the pedestal 82. The thickness 88 of the drawer bottom 23 corresponds to the height of the pedestal 82. Thus, the bearing 80 may be slipped into the notch 86 by fitting the table 81 over the top and the platform 83 under the bottom of the drawer bottom 23. This way, the bearing is captured and securely held in position inside the notch, as seen in FIG. 1. Thereafter, a channel clamp form 27 is slipped into grooves similar to grooves-90-92, but on the rear edge of the drawer bottom 23. Thereafter, the

channel clamp 27 interferes with and prevents removal of the bearing 80.

While specific embodiments have been described herein, various modifications may be made by those who are skilled in the art. Therefore, the appended elongated channel clamp forms for interconnecting adjacent panels to form said drawer,

said clamp forms having a cross-section with two C- shaped longitudinal channel cavaties formed perpendicularly to each other,

said channel clamp forms having longitudinal shape retaining means and glide strips formed thereon and said glide strips comprising a rounded contour of a corner of said cross section of said channel clamp form for gliding within said cabinets of said bearing insert.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said shape retaining means is a strut extending diagonally from said rounded contour of the corner of said channel clamp form to a cove between said two C-shaped channel cavities of said channel clamp forms,

said strut being formed within the cross-section of said channel clamp forms and separating said C- shaped channel cavities, and

said strut being positioned to prevent the loading of said drawer from changing the shape of said channel clamp form.

3. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein there are two of said bearing inserts, each of said inserts being an L- shaped structure,

said bearing inserts being placed on a lower corner of said cabinet opening, and

at least two of said glide strips being coated on edges of said drawer to cooperate with said bearing inserts for providing a smoothly gliding drawer.

4. The cabinet of claim 3 wherein said bearing means have steps disposed toward said cabinet opening, and

said steps defining runways.

5. A cabinet with an opening for a prefabricated knockdown drawer,

said drawer comprising a plurality of panels and channel clamp forms for interconnecting the edges of adjacent panels,

said panels having grooves which slip into mating portions in said channel clamp forms,

said channel clamp forms having a generally rectangular cross-section with two C-shaped channel cavities formed in adjacent sides of said rectangle with a cove between said cavities,

a strut formed within the cross-section of said channel clamp form,

said strut diagonally extending from said cove to a rounded contour on one cross-sectional corner of said channel clamp form,

two L-shaped bearing inserts supported adjacent said rounded corners at the bottom two edges of said drawer, and

said channel clamp forms in cooperation with said L-shaped bearing inserts providing a smoothly gliding drawer.

6. The cabinet of claim 5 wherein said rounded contour of said channel clamp form cross-sectional corner provides smooth glide strips,

said glide strips of said channel clamp cross-sectional corner sliding on said bearing inserts, and

said strut in cooperation with said rounded contour of said channel clamp form providing shape retaining means whereby the loading of said drawer is distributed throughout said channel clamp form. 

1. A cabinet with an opening for a prefabricated knockdown drawer, said opening having at least one bearing insert in a lower portion of said cabinet opening, said drawer comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having on its opposite sides opposing grooves extending parallel to each edge which comes into contact with an edge of an adjacent panel when said drawer is assembled, elongated channel clamp forms for interconnecting adjacent panels to form said drawer, said clamp forms having a cross-section with two C-shaped longitudinal channel cavaties formed perpendicularly to each other, said channel clamp forms having longitudinal shape retaining means and glide strips formed thereon and said glide strips comprising a rounded contour of a corner of said cross section of said channel clamp form for gliding within said cabinets of said bearing insert.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said shape retaining means is a strut extending diagonally from said rounded contour of the corner of said channel clamp form to a cove between said two C-shaped channel cavities of said channel clamp forms, said strut being formed within the cross-section of said channel clamp forms and separating said C-shaped channel cavities, and said strut being positioned to prevent the loading of said drawer from changing the shape of said channel clamp form.
 3. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein there are two of said bearing inserts, each of said inserts being an L-shaped structure, said bearing inserts being placed on a lower corner of said cabinet opening, and at least two of said glide strips being coated on edges of said drawer to cooperate with said bearing inserts for providing a smoothly gliding drawer.
 4. The cabinet of claim 3 wherein said bearing means have steps disposed toward said cabinet opening, and said steps defining runways.
 5. A cabinet with an opening for a prefabricated knockdown drawer, said drawer comprising a plurality of panels and channel clamp forms for interconnecting the edges of adjacent panels, said panels having grooves which slip into mating portions in said channel clamp forms, said channel clamp forms having a generally rectangular cross-section with two C-shaped channel cavities formed in adjacent sides of said rectangle with a cove between said cavities, a strut formed within the cross-section of said channel clamp form, said strut diagonally extending from said cove to a rounded contour on one cross-sectional corner of said channel clamp form, two L-shaped bearing inserts supported adjacent said rounded corners at the bottom two edges of said drawer, and said channel clamp forms in cooperation with said L-shaped bearing inserts providing a smoothly gliding drawer.
 6. The cabinet of claim 5 wherein said rounded contour of said channel clamp form cross-sectional corner provides smooth glide strips, said glide strips of said channel clamp cross-sectional corner sliding on said bearing inserts, and said strut in cooperation with said rounded contour of said channel clamp form providing shape retaining means whereby the loading of said drawer is distributed throughout said channel clamp form. 